On May 14, 2025, the Sun emitted a significant X2.7-class solar flare from sunspot region AR4087, marking the strongest flare of the year. The event, which peaked at 4:25 a.m. ET (0825 GMT), caused shortwave radio blackouts across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), X-class flares, the most powerful category, are relatively infrequent. The X2.7 flare resulted in a burst of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation that traveled at the speed of light, ionizing the upper atmosphere. This ionization disrupted high-frequency radio signals, leading to communication dropouts for some radio operators.
While a coronal mass ejection (CME) was likely associated with the flare, its trajectory is not expected to be Earth-directed at this time. However, because AR4087 is rotating towards Earth, future eruptions could have a more direct impact, potentially causing geomagnetic storms and auroras. Scientists are closely monitoring the region for continued activity as Solar Cycle 25 approaches its expected peak in 2025.